Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Free Project: Woodsy

Owls are associated with wisdom. They can see things that others can't. Apparently I needed to heed the power of the owl because I was ignorant of how social media could work for me.

I am not a big fan of Facebook, as I would rather spend my time blogging, and Twitter is just way too brief for me (please, I say 140 characters before I even get out of bed in the morning!). But I know that a lot of you are out there on Facebook quite regularly. After I spent the night listing things (please, Etsy, make it even quicker for me to batch edit and list items!) I stopped into Facebook for my bi-weekly check in. I added a picture of one of the little hooties to my profile and within moments I had hits and mentions and comments and hops... it was viral, I tell you! I have never seen anything like it. And because of that little innocent posting I even sold a bunch of things. (Note to self: rethink your aversion to Facebook). My point is that I wasn't even planning that interaction and yet there it was.

This necklace features one of the first wise old owls that I made in my 'simple truths' like back in January 2011. With the cooler weather in the air, I have been making up a clutch of young owlets like my first wide-eyed friend, and apparently you like him! (Note to self: make more owlets). I submitted this little guy to a magazine...but he got rejected :-( Sad for me, but a bonus for you! I think that he is too cute to keep to myself, so I am going to share him with you for free! So here is a project to design your own fall-inspired, asymmetrical necklace.

1: Separate the chain into two 10 ½” pieces and two 1” pieces. Set aside.

2: Cut the wire into three 2” sections. Create a wrapped loop stringing one copper cog spacer, one polymer clay bead and one copper cog spacer. Finish with a wrapped loop. Repeat two more times.

3: Connect the wrapped bead links with the etched jump ring. Attach the two long pieces of chain to the jump ring on one side. Attach the two short pieces of chain to the jump ring on the other side, ending with another jump ring.

4: Connect the pendant to this jump ring.

5: Position the branch connections so that they form an open space in the middle. Connect them together using small jump rings. To the middle branch add the copper leaf stamping. Attach an etched jump ring to one side, and connect the other side to the jump ring in step 4.

6: Use a small jump ring to attach the leaf toggle to the etch jump ring.

7: On the other end of the chain, connect an oval etched jump ring. Thread the brass ball head pin to the leaf toggle bar and created a wrapped loop underneath. Open the oval brass jump ring and thread the toggle bar and the two remaining ends of the chain.

I think I need to get back in the studio and make more of these happy little owlets because they are literally flying out the door!

Happy creating!

Do you design around the seasons and traditional themes, or do you just design what you will like?What sort of motifs are you seeking as themes for your designs this fall and for the upcoming winter/holiday season?

11 comments:

I don't care much for Faceboook. Like Twitter, I think the conversations are too short. I visit FB about once a week or less. Honestly I don't have time to do it all. I can't do it all. I'd rather keep my sanity and have time to spend with friends and family in a face-to-face setting, like over the supper table.

I just heard about a study where more people prefered to be contacted by text. Really? Don't people know how to have a real conversation any more?

OK, I'm getting off my soap box now and back to the subject at hand. Your piece is just gorgeous!!!! I love al lthe different components which come together to make one fabulous necklace. Thanks so much for the tutorial!

When I sit down at the beading table I hardly ever have a design in mind. The beads take me where they will.

Love this creation! I can't believe it was rejected! 8( I really like the branch in the design...will have to make a mental note to try making some out of polymer clay! The owl is adorable! Thank you for sharing!

He's so adorable. When I first read this, I thought you were going to tell us how to make the little owl. I thought "How cool", but it's just as nice learning how to make the necklace.I'm not really fond of twitter or facebook. Don't really have the time to spend to get very good with either one or feel like I'm using them like I need to for them to benefit me. But I keep logging in every so often and posting.

You already know I love the owlets and that necklace! Thanks for the tutorial!! I don't think I consciously plan for a season, but in the fall I start thinking about garnets! Those rich reds, browns, and greens are comfort colors!